Retinal nerve fiber layer sector-specific compromise in relapsing and remitting multiple sclerosis

•We detailed RNFL quadrant and sector segmentation analysis in multiple sclerosis.•RNFL sector thicknesses were lower in 2 affected eyes relative to 1 affected eye.•PMB thickness distinguishes MS affected and MS unaffected groups from controls.•TMV thickness distinguishes MS affected and MS unaffected groups from controls.•EDSS correlated with RNFL for unaffected group and TMV for affected group.

ObjectiveTo evaluate quadrant and sector retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and total macular volume (TMV) in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis (RR-MS) patients.MethodsOptical coherence tomography measures of RNFL and TMV were studied in 321 eyes without prior optic neuritis (ON) (MS unaffected), 151 eyes with prior ON (MS affected), and 148 healthy control eyes.ResultsMean RNFL thickness was significantly lower in the MS affected and MS unaffected groups relative to the control group (p < 0.0001). RNFL thicknesses in the superior, inferior, and temporal quadrants were significantly reduced in MS unaffected (113 ± 15 μm, 119 ± 17 μm, 63 ± 13 μm) (p < 0.001) and MS affected groups (99 ± 19 μm, 103 ± 21 μm, 51 ± 13 μm) (p < 0.0001) compared with that in controls (120 ± 14 μm, 128 ± 15 μm, 69 ± 8 μm, respectively). TMV was significantly reduced in both the MS affected and MS unaffected groups compared with that in the controls (p < 0.0001).ConclusionQuadrant, sector, and PMB RNFL thicknesses are significant individual measures in RR-MS for both affected and unaffected eyes and may prove valuable in future investigations including biomarker and outcomes research.